Our
standard antenna system produces a signal
intensity of 2.0 mV/m at 1.5 km, the FCC maximum
field level. That signal is typically strong
enough to erect signs for alerting listeners at
3 to 5 miles. The antenna may be mounted atop a
square or round pole of wood, metal or
fiberglass. This antenna system is packaged
with a factory-wired groundplane, pole mounts
and insulators, a cabinet-protected lightning
arrestor system and ground bus for lightning
dissipation and groundplane connection.
Components include . . .

Antenna Mount and Insulators

A galvanized-steel mount allows the
antenna to be attached to any type of pole,
minimum 6" diameter or 6" square. Includes
split-plastic insulator mounts and
stainless-steel hardware.

Lightning Arrestor, Enclosure and Ground Bus

Provided in a NEMA-4 cabinet, the lightning
arrestor is bonded to an aluminum panel, which
serves as support for lightning grounding and
groundplane connection clamps.

Groundplane

A groundplane is the copper wire part
of the antenna system buried beneath the antenna
support. Our preassembled PowerPlaneTM Groundplane is placed in a 6"-to-12" excavation
that extends outward 10 to 20 feet (depending on
frequency) in all directions from the pad or
pole base; it is covered with backfill. The
groundplane consists of a central ring of #4
bare copper stranded wire with 62 radials that
extend outward in a circular pattern. See
how it's typically installed in this TechTalk
article.

Note: Our optional 2X Signal Booster offers
up to double the efficiency/range of the
station’s antenna, allowing the transmitter to
run at less wattage or allowing the signal to
have twice the signal intensity at a given
distance. It functions with upper-band
(typ:1610-1700) antennas only and is recommended
for federal government agencies that do not have
a signal intensity limitation; also for any
operator in a challenging environment that
requires maximum signal intensity to cut through
woods, buildings and obstructions. (Local
government licensees must seek a waiver of the
FCC rules to allow a signal intensity above the
standard 2.0 mV/m limitation.)

VP9000TM Vertical Profile
Antenna System - an antenna/groundplane
system with all electronics inside the pole
and a smaller groundplane requirement -
optional for the ALERT AM, Information
Station, RadioSTAT and ITS6000 HAR
Information Radio Systems.